This small compilation of thoughts and memories from various former and current Suffield residents is in memory of Sam Fuller, Observer founder – a life well lived.
“Sam Fuller was a good man in every sense. He focused sharply on his family, his town, and his country. He was an inspiring activist. He founded The Suffield Observer, he was a co-founder of The Suffield Community Party, and a leader in forming CAPS (Continuity, Accountability and Professionalism for Suffield) aimed at improving his Town’s government structure. Sam’s wit, energy and leadership will be sorely missed.”
– Warren Packard
“Mentor, information source, and – most of all – good friend for 60 years: that’s what Sam meant to me.”
– Lester Smith
“Sam was a wonderful unexpected dividend in my later life.”
– Mary Crary
“Spencer was always so respectable to me.”
– Carmen Edwards
“Working for Sam at the Observer, I always felt that he placed great value and importance on whatever I did for the paper. To top it off, he had a mischievous air and a sparkle that made it great fun to be around him.”
– Ruth Zimmerman
“My first thought about Sam is when he first tried to get the Observer off the ground. There was little interest because of the fairly good level of local Suffield coverage provided by other papers at that time. But Sam kept at it, and as we all know, turned the Observer into the excellent organization and newspaper that it has become. We all owe him our gratitude for his dedication to the Town of Suffield and the Observer.”
– Ernie Petkovich
“My reflection and memory of Sam Fuller is one of total commitment to community. The Suffield Observer began as a newsletter that Sam sent out from his home several times a year. When the Observer was born, we saw that not only did Sam ‘talk the talk’ but he ‘walked the walk.’ When I remember Sam Fuller, I will remember a man who was the epitome of community and volunteerism, and who truly was Mr. Suffield!”
– Chris Carmon
“It was a great blessing to live next door to Sam for 25 years. We will be forever grateful to have had Sam and Jane in our lives and will strive to live by their example. Sam, you will be missed. Forever indebted.”
– Danna Gauntner
“Sam was a cousin and childhood friend of my husband, and he was in our wedding. Through the years Sam, Jane and their children have become a large part of our family. We always think of Sam as Mr. Suffield”.
– Sally and Sumner Bissell
“Mom’s thought is that Uncle Sam said that if he could not be of service, he would not choose to be alive.”
– Sue Fuller with Becki Fuller
“Sam and Lincoln- a man and his dog. Living the good life at Fuller’s corner. Always a smile; always a gentleman. Sam loved Suffield and Suffield loved Sam.”
– Edna Mann
“The Observer was new and I was kind of shy and quiet, but when we got talking about the paper, I would get excited and really talkative. Sam would say to me, ‘Carol, I think I liked you better when you were shy.’”
– Carol Martin
“Recognized and celebrated for the courage to always appropriately speak his mind and live a life forged by humility, Mr. Fuller’s greatest gift to the people of our community-at-large, a Suffield he loved so much, was his selfless and benevolent service. With an iconic image most notably defined by many years of successful civic ventures and behind the scenes leadership, he and his longtime partner-in-heart, Jane, inspired us to emulate their ability to genuinely enjoy life’s simple treasures and appreciate those who delivered them. It was truly a gift for those of us blessed with the opportunity to know and love Mr. Fuller.”
– Michael Alexopoulos, Jr.
“Sam was a fearless and passionate crusader for those in need. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those he touched.”
– Janet Frechette
“My dear friend Sam was truly the ‘Town Father’ for his enormous contributions to Suffield over decades. Sam never sought public recognition for himself. His focus was always on the needs of others. Lasting in my memory will be his wonderful sense of humor – his sharp wit – typified by his frequent greeting to me, ‘Where have you been, you old goat?’ and the banter would begin.”
– Gordon Stagg
“I’ve enjoyed Sam’s friendship in so many ways. One evening early last year, Sam called to invite me out to dinner at Friendly’s. Coming down North Street on our way back, we saw flashing police lights, and I said, ‘Sam, that looks like it’s at your house!’ Come to find out, Sam was supposed to be at another engagement and had forgotten, causing a lot of worried people who didn’t know where he’d gone. There was lots of laughter after they found out he was okay.”
– Eddie Neilson
“Sam Fuller was our hometown hero who did so much for our community and always made us smile. We miss him and loved him very much.”
– Sally and Larry Peters
“A man of few words who imparted so much wisdom. A dickens, a gentle giant and a man to be respected for the ages.”
– Ginny Bromage
“Sam Fuller’s singular record of loyalty to and love for family, friends, and his cherished birthplace Suffield will last as long as the town itself. For those of us who were fortunate enough to share these recent years with this dedicated man, the magnitude of his loss will continue to be matched by our gratitude and many wonderful memories.”
– Bob Warren
“My admiration for Sam knows no bounds. For all his myriad accomplishments, both personal and professional, he was as down to earth as they come, always deflecting praise to those around him. He was all that one should aspire to be and Suffield owes him a big debt of gratitude. We are the lesser for his light having gone out but comforted by his legacy to us all. Rest in peace, Sam, and thanks.”
– Johanne Presser
“Sam’s sincere desire to provide the Suffield community with a positive, impactful and impartial publication culminated in the 1999 formation of the Watchful Messenger newspaper: The Suffield Observer. Sam’s abundance of humor, candor and love kept the core group moving toward kickoff success. We worked to create an end result to match the magnificence of its founder and his vision. Winning a Sam Award was one of my proudest moments.”
– Gayle Demko
“Nikki and I knew Sam late in his life, when he became a teenager. Sam seemed to grow younger, not older. I think of Bob Dylan’s line, ‘I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now’. Instead of getting cranky, he got mellow. His humor: dry as the desert. When I was around Sam, my life flowed around me like a gentle current, heading eastward.”
– Tom Deupree
“Sam listened to Suffield residents’ desire to feel better connected and informed…and gave us The Suffield Observer. Thank you, Sam.”
–The Dowds
“Sam Fuller was the most optimistic, supportive friend of Suffield Academy, serving as a trustee for more than thirty years. The school was incredibly important to him, and he was our biggest cheerleader. Sam’s passion for Suffield Academy gave all of us here confidence and comfort. Words cannot adequately express our immense fondness of Sam and gratitude for his commitment to our school.”
– Charlie Cahn
“The Fullers and Childs lived two doors apart for many years. Sam was always gracious in welcoming us to use their pool and tennis court. Through the years we played our share of tennis and paddle together. Sam’s competitive nature would come to the fore as he used pranks or jokes to distract his opponents, as necessary. He was a good friend and will be missed.”
– Blair Childs
“We are grateful and will always remember Sam Fuller for his kind and generous spirit and commitment to the Suffield community. Sam devoted much of his time and energy to promoting the expression of ideas and advocating for voices which were not being heard. Our mutual interests gave us the opportunity to appreciate Sam’s wisdom and personal contributions. Suffield is a better and special place thanks in no small part to the efforts and contributions of Sam Fuller.”
– John and Kathy Murphy
“My son Neil and I recall a weekend in 1972 when it was suddenly imperative that all the books at the old library be moved at once to the brand new Kent Memorial on North Main Street. For two days everyone worked like Trojans to complete the job, including my husband Dan, Sam and Neil. The work had been tedious and they were all worn out. What saved them was the laughter. Neil was accustomed to a father who said funny things, and could turn almost anything into a joke. But he was quite surprised that somebody else’s father (Sam) could be funny too. The comments the two of them threw back and forth became hilarious.”
– Peggy MacKinnon